Ask LH: How Can I Hide My Giant TV?

My giant TV gives me beautiful crisp clear picture that fills my living room perfectly. I love it when I’m using it, but when it’s turned off I hate it. It’s a big ugly square black-hole, sucking the life out of my living room space. Any creative DIY tips on how can I hide it when it’s turned off? Thanks, Square Eyes

Big TV picture from Shutterstock

Dear Square Eyes,

If you think it’s an eye-sore now, wait until you have kids — my TV is regularly covered in an ugly patchwork of tiny fingerprints that are only visible when the screen is turned off. (I hold Dora’s stupid backpack fully responsible.)

A dead-simple and cost-effective solution is to purchase an “ambiance DVD” and leave it on a playback loop. Options include pseudo fireplaces, tropical aquariums and scantily-clad ladies posing suggestively: the choice is yours. On the downside, you’ll be wasting a few extra bucks on electricity each month, but the aesthetics are arguably worth it.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try building a lift contraption that enables your TV to completely disappear inside a custom made piece of furniture. You can find instructions on how it’s done here. A makeshift cabinet with hinged doors would achieve the same result, although depending on your DIY skills, this could end up looking significantly uglier than the TV.

If that sounds too scary, you can get a mechanical solution professionally installed by companies like Ergomotion — but prices aren’t cheap.

Alternatively, you could try covering your TV with a printed canvas via a printing service like snapfish. Just choose a high-res image/photo that’s suitable for framing and specify the exact measurements you want to ensure it matches you television. You can then throw it over your TV set when it’s not in use.

If anyone else has an alternative solution, let Square Eyes know in the comments section below.

Cheers
Lifehacker

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